"Shadowchaser" A poem by Gary L. S. West

Shadowchaser
By; Gary L. S. West

I chase the shadows of my life
Like an image in the window
I walk on paths as thin as ice
I am the chaser of shadows

The shutters swing this way and that
Like a branch sways as the wind blows
I cannot see where it is at
I am the chaser of shadows

A hint of movement to my right
My own mind convinces me so
It flits away into the night
I am the chaser of shadows

I do not know for what I look
Yet, here I'm searching to and fro
Like all the things that I forsook
I am the chaser of shadows

I've chased so long that I forgot
All the pleasant things that I know
I've left my life behind to rot
I am the chaser of shadows

All those things of which I was fond
Like seeking the ends of rainbows
Those good old days are all but gone
I am the chaser of shadows

This empty house, like all that's passed
Grows dusty and dark as time flows
I know not just how long I'll last
I am the chaser of shadows

Then 'pon my door there comes a knock
Outside, a shimmer of light glows
I hesitate with awe and shock
Am I the chaser of shadows?

Now for the door I start to reach
But I'm held back by this dark ghost
"Enter in now!" I loud beseech
I am the captive of shadows

The Son of God has come to me
Dressed in glowing ever-white robes
He has arrived to set me free
And to rescue me from shadows

This Man has opened every door
And now everywhere the light goes
These shadows all are now no more
He has chased away my shadows

This is absolutely beautiful. I'm actually working on my fourth degree in relation to ministry/Bible studies, and I originally didn't think of the poem as being about that at all until I reached the end. It was so nice, and it definitely changed the picture in my mind from what I had thought originally. I wanted to take it both in an odd/scifi way and a past-chasing manner, but by the end it changed my entire vision to what it really was. =) Awesome job! (Also, it reminds me of something I once read. It was to the effect that Jesus is always there knocking, and even if we were to shut the door on Him, He'd still wait at our doorstep and keep trying.)